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Yank open those spring closets and chances are, you’ll find a crispy, slightly cropped jean jacket staring back at you. The denim jacket has been a bastion of men’s style as long as the words men and style have been associated: from Sienfield to Steve McQueen, it’s the outwear the keeps on giving. But for all its longevity and rugged wearability, it’s actually a surprisingly difficult item to style — one wrong move, and you’ll be facing comparisons to JT at the VMA’s.
The Best Lightweight Jacket Styles for Men, According to Style Editors
Are you more of a chore coat cat or blazer bro? You’re about to find out.Is denim on denim okay? Can I still wear boots? What’s the fit playbook? To help you steer clear of any jenim faux pas, we’ve highlighted three surefire looks that’ll put your denim jackets to work this spring. With jackets from Levi’s to Alex Mill running the gamut of workwear, westernwear and any other kind of -wear you cant think of, you’ll be in good hands.
The Candian Cowboy:
The ’70s craze is alive and well, which means you’re officially in the clear to embrace the much-debated candian tuxedo. It’s a polarizing look, sure, but are you really going to argue with Robby Redford? Just follow a few simple rules — match denim hues, keep the jacket short and the pants long, and commit to the retro aesthetic — and you’ll be a certified urban cowboy in no time.
The Workwear Hero:
We fully realize that not every man may feel at home making his own furniture, but there’s no reason you can’t look like you do. Nowadays, plenty of workwear jackets are decked out in denim, and unlike your standard trucker, they drape a touch longer (and sport all the necessary pockets to hold your…uh…tools?) for increased mobility and better coverage. Basically, you’ll look sick ordering your $7 matcha, and be totally good to go when you inevitably spill it all over yourself.
The Designer Darling:
They may be simple, but don’t be fooled — there are denim jackets out there that’d look right at home on Euro runways or at downtown hotspots. Fabric and cut are the names of the game when it comes to moodboard-level ‘fits, along with the prerequisite accessorizing. For our money, the 3sixteen’s altered Type 3s Trucker is the ideal combo of rugged outerwear and designer denim. She’s expensive, but worth every damn cent — your hot date will think so, too.
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